System and method for managing mobile drive units
First Claim
1. A method for moving a mobile drive unit within a workspace, comprising;
- receiving a path, wherein;
the path comprises an initial segment and one or more additional segments;
the initial segment includes a portion of the path adjacent to a first point; and
at least one of the additional segments includes a portion of the path adjacent to a second point;
storing the path;
reserving the initial segment of the path;
moving away from the first point along the initial segment;
after initiating movement along the initial segment, reserving each of the additional segments of the path; and
moving toward the second point along each of the additional segments while that segment is reserved.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for moving a mobile drive unit within a workspace includes receiving a path. The path includes at least an initial segment and one or more additional segments. The initial segment includes a portion of the path adjacent to the first point; and at least one of the additional segments includes a portion of the path adjacent to the second point. The method further includes storing the path, reserving the initial segment of the path, and moving away from the first point along the initial segment. After initiating movement along the initial segment, the method includes reserving each of the additional segments of the path and moving toward the second point along each of the additional segments while that segment is reserved.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for moving a mobile drive unit within a workspace, comprising;
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receiving a path, wherein; the path comprises an initial segment and one or more additional segments; the initial segment includes a portion of the path adjacent to a first point; and at least one of the additional segments includes a portion of the path adjacent to a second point; storing the path; reserving the initial segment of the path; moving away from the first point along the initial segment; after initiating movement along the initial segment, reserving each of the additional segments of the path; and moving toward the second point along each of the additional segments while that segment is reserved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A mobile drive unit operable to:
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receive a route response identifying a path between a first point and a second point, wherein; the path comprises at least an initial segment and one or more additional segments; the initial segment includes a portion of the path adjacent to the first point; and at least one of the additional segments includes a portion of the path adjacent to the second point; store the path; reserve the initial segment of the path; move away from the first point along the initial segment; after initiating movement along the initial segment, reserve each of the additional segments of the path; and move toward the second point along each of the additional segments while that segment is reserved.
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17. A system for moving a mobile drive unit within a workspace, comprising;
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means for receiving a path, wherein; the path comprises at least an initial segment and one or more additional segments; the initial segment includes a portion of the path adjacent to a first point; and at least one of the additional segments includes a portion of the path adjacent to the second point; means for storing the path; means for reserving the initial segment of the path; means for moving away from the first point along the initial segment; means for reserving the each of the additional segments of the path after initiating movement along the initial segment; and means for moving toward the second point along each of the additional segments while that segment is reserved.
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Specification